The evening prequarter round in the open division featured several games that came down to the final point. In the windiest conditions of the tournament so far, some of the top seeds were able to take care of business quickly, while others were pushed to their limits. Here’s what happened:
Switzerland (A1) vs. Ireland (B8) – The undefeated Swiss had no trouble with winless Ireland, dispatching them 13-1 to advance to quarterfinals.
Russia's Nikolay Nikolaev lays out against Hungary (Photo by Edmundo Mercier)
France (A4) vs. Latvia (A5) – Though Latvia’s deep game had them back on their heels early, France was able to keep the game close thanks to some big plays from Pierre Lemerle. After several lengthy points, the game arrived at 7-7, game to 8. On their first possession, France put up a big huck to the endzone. Both the French receiver and the Latvian defender Roberts Apinis went up for the disc, but it sailed over both their heads. The disc looked to be floating into the hands of another French player, but Apinis recovered and laid out backwards for the game-extending block. After numerous turnovers, contested calls and at least 10 more minutes of game time, Romain Tronci hit Renaud Moirier to give France the victory 8-7.
Spain (B3) vs. Denmark (A6) – This game was close the entire way, with neither team ever leading by more than a single goal. At 8-8 universe point, Spain patiently worked in their O point, with Ricardo Marquez scoring his third straight goal to give Spain the 9-8 win.
Ukraine (B2) vs. United European Islands (A7) – After winning their pool, Ukraine probably wasn’t expecting much of a challenge from UEI, who didn’t win a single pool play game. However, UEI stormed out of the gate, taking a 5-2 lead as every one of their goals and assists came from a different player. From then on, it was all Ukraine, as they finished on a huge run to win 13-7. Oleksandr Stakhovskyi was dominant, recording 7 assist and a goal.
Russia (A2) vs. Hungary (B7) – Russia shook off a universe point loss in their crossover against Switzerland, crushing Hungary 13-3.
Germany (A3) vs. Poland (B6) – Poland came out fired up, and Germany wasn’t able to match their intensity early as the teams traded to a 6-5 Poland lead. Germany’s defense stepped it up, and a 5-1 run gave them the game, 10-7.
Italy (B4) vs. Belgium (A5) – Italy looked to be in complete control of their game against Belgium, storming out to a 7-3 lead. The second half would be a different story, as Belgium came all the way back to win 10-9, behind four second-half goals from Jaspen Loontiens.
Great Britain (B1) vs. Portugal (A8) – Great Britain had no trouble in this game, rushing out to a 9-0 lead, eventually winning 13-3.
Bracket Predictions
Quarterfinals:
Switzerland over France
Ukraine over Spain
Russia over Germany
Great Britain over Belgium
Semifinals:
Switzerland over Ukraine
Russia over Great Britain
Finals:
Russia over Switzerland
(Great Britain over Ukraine for 3rd)
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